The Analects – Chapter 123 (6.5). Confucius’ lesson on balanced benevolence to Yuan Si

6.5

When Yuan Si was made a governor, he was given an allowance of nine hundred measures of grain, but declined it. The Master said, “Surely you could find people who would be glad of it among your neighbours or in your village?”

原思為之宰，與之粟九百，辭。子曰：「毋！以與爾鄰里鄉黨乎！」

Notes

Yuan Si, also known as Yuan Xian (styled Zisi), was a disciple of Confucius renowned for embracing voluntary poverty while upholding moral integrity. He once served as steward of Confucius’ household.

Confucius advocated the Golden Mean (moderation): neither rejecting rightful gain nor hoarding surplus wealth. Demonstrating care for his disciple, Confucius proactively granted Yuan Si a generous salary. Yet Yuan Si, devoted to simplicity and content in poverty, deemed the stipend excessive and sought to decline it.

Confucius then counseled him:

“Do not cling to destitution alone. Distribute your surplus to support kin and neighbors.”

Mencius said: “When something may be taken or not taken, taking it impairs one’s integrity; when something may be given or not given, giving it impairs one’s benevolence.”

It takes righteousness as the criterion for taking and giving, which is consistent with Confucius’ attitude toward Yuan Si – “accept what one is entitled to, and distribute the surplus to help others”. It emphasizes that accepting emoluments should conform to righteousness, and offering relief should be appropriate.